Hair treatment agent-holder, hair styling device and hair styling method

ABSTRACT

There is disclosed a hair treatment agent-holder  1 A which is a holder impregnated with a hair treatment agent to hold the same therein, and the holder is provided with a base material  3  capable of being impregnated with the hair treatment agent to hold the same therein, detachably attached to hair styling means for styling hair, and formed to enable the outflow of the hair treatment agent. There can be provided a hair treatment agent-holder which facilitates hair-surface conditioning by the hair treatment agent and promotes the penetration of the hair treatment agent into the hair to achieve a treatment effect, a hair styling device, and a hair styling method. It becomes possible not only to easily handle the hair treatment agent but also to improve a workability.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a hair treatment agent-holder, a hair styling device, and a hair styling method.

BACKGROUND ART

Heretofore, there have been hair treatment agents for various use applications to repair hair, retain a style thereof, change the style, dye the hair, decolor the hair, exert effects of hair coating and manicuring, and the like.

These hair treatment agents produce the above effects. On the other hand, however, not a few agents cause a chemical, thermal or physical damage to hair to lose moisture retaining properties, softness and smoothness, thereby generating problems such as hair dry out, coarseness, split hair ends, broken hair, and loss of shine.

For preventing such hair damage or repairing the hair, a substance such as silicon having a conditioning effect and another additive substance are broadly used. However, it is difficult for any substance to maintain its effect for a long period of time, and deterioration of physical properties and feel of the hair caused by a permanent wave or bleaching cannot sufficiently be compensated.

Patent Documents 1 to 4 have been suggested to solve these problems.

In Patent Document 1, an applicator for hair and a liquefied supporter have an integral structure. Therefore, the liquefied supporter cannot detachably be attached, and the handling of a hair treatment agent becomes intricate. In addition, an operation efficiency easily lowers. Moreover, the applicator for the hair is not suitable for a hair styling treatment. Above all, the applicator is insufficient to perform the hair styling treatment while utilizing properties of the hair treatment agent.

In Patent Document 2, there is disclosed a dyeing trowel generally including a sponge section, a head section, a pair of handle sections provided with a dyeing liquid reserving section, and a joining section, so that a dyeing liquid can be supplied to the above handle sections, the joining section and the head section via the sponge section. However, the dyeing trowel of Patent Document 2 is used as a tool for dyeing, and is not suitable for the hair styling treatment. Above all, the dyeing trowel is insufficient to perform the hair styling treatment while utilizing the properties of the hair treatment agent.

In Patent Document 3, a sack of a hair iron is disclosed. With the sack of the hair iron of Patent Document 3, the hair styling treatment is not performed while utilizing the properties of the hair treatment agent. That is, this sack is used only when heat is not directly applied to the hair, and hence the sack is insufficient to perform the hair styling treatment while using the hair treatment agent.

Prior Art Documents Patent Documents

Patent Document 1: Japanese Utility Model Registration No. 3103404

Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent No. 3467516

Patent Document 3: Japanese Utility Model Registration No. 3117886

Patent Document 4: Japanese Patent No. 2565435

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been developed in view of the above problems of the conventional technologies, and an object thereof is to provide a holder which is impregnated with a hair treatment agent to hold the agent therein, the holder having a constitution of a hair treatment agent-holder which comprises a base material capable of being impregnated with the hair treatment agent to hold the agent therein, which is detachably attached to hair styling means for styling hair and which enables the outflow of the hair treatment agent. In consequence, there are provided a hair treatment agent-holder which facilitates a hair-surface conditioning treatment by a hair treatment agent and promotes the penetration of the hair treatment agent into the hair to achieve a treatment effect, a hair styling device, and a hair styling method. Above all, the hair treatment agent-holder is formed to enable the outflow of the hair treatment agent from the inside thereof during heating, which further facilitates the hair-surface conditioning treatment by the hair treatment agent and promotes the penetration of the hair treatment agent into the hair to achieve the treatment effect. Furthermore, the treatment agent attached to the hair is not easily removed, and the effect thereof can be sustained. In addition, it becomes possible not only to easily handle the hair treatment agent but also to improve a workability.

According to the present invention, there are provided a hair treatment agent-holder, hair styling means, a hair styling device, and a hair styling method as follows.

[1] A hair treatment agent-holder which is a holder impregnated with a hair treatment agent to hold the hair treatment agent therein, the holder comprising a base material capable of being impregnated with the hair treatment agent to hold the hair treatment agent therein, detachably attached to hair styling means for styling hair, and formed to enable the outflow of the hair treatment agent.

[2] The hair treatment agent-holder according to [1], which is formed to enable the outflow of the hair treatment agent from the inside thereof during heating.

[3] The hair treatment agent-holder according to [1], or [2], wherein the hair treatment agent is made of a substance having a low fluidity at ordinary temperature and having the raised fluidity when heated.

[4] The hair treatment agent-holder according to any of [1] to [3], wherein the base material of the hair treatment agent-holder is made of a porous resin.

[5] The hair treatment agent-holder according to any of [1] to [3], wherein the base material of the hair treatment agent-holder is made of a non-woven cloth, paper, a film, a cloth or a rubber.

[6] The hair treatment agent-holder according to any of [1] to [5], wherein the base material of the hair treatment agent-holder is formed into a mesh-like shape or provided with one or more holes.

[7] Hair styling means to which the hair treatment agent-holder according to any of [1] to [6] is attached, to style the hair.

[8] A hair styling device comprising the hair styling means according to [7].

[9] The hair styling device according to [8], wherein the hair styling means includes one arm and the other arm facing each other, to the one arm and/or the other arm, the hair treatment agent-holder impregnated with the hair treatment agent or holding the hair treatment agent is detachably attached, and heating means is provided in a device main body and/or the one arm and/or the other arm.

[10] The hair styling device according to [8] or [9], wherein the hair styling means is a hair iron.

[11] The hair styling device according to any of [8] to [10], wherein a heating temperature of the heating means is changeable in accordance with the hair treatment agent for use.

[12] A hair styling method comprising: attaching the hair treatment agent-holder according to any of [1] to [6] to the hair styling means; then, heating the hair treatment agent-holder by heating means and bringing the hair treatment agent-holder into contact with hair; thereby applying a hair treatment agent to the hair to style the hair.

[13] A hair styling method comprising: attaching the hair treatment agent-holder according to any of [1] to [6] to the hair styling means; then, bringing the hair treatment agent-holder into contact with hair to apply the hair treatment agent to the hair; and heating the hair by heating means to style the hair.

[14] A hair styling method comprising: supplying a hair treatment agent to hair by use of the hair styling device according to any of [8] to [11].

Advantageous Effect of the Invention

According to the present invention, there is constituted a hair treatment agent-holder which is a holder impregnated with a hair treatment agent to hold the hair treatment agent therein, the holder comprising a base material capable of being impregnated with the hair treatment agent to hold the hair treatment agent therein, detachably attached to hair styling means for styling hair, and formed to enable the outflow of the hair treatment agent. In consequence, there can be provided a hair treatment agent-holder which facilitates a hair-surface conditioning treatment by the hair treatment agent and promotes the penetration of the hair treatment agent into the hair to achieve a treatment effect, a hair styling device, and a hair styling method, thereby creating an excellent effect. Above all, the hair treatment agent-holder is formed to enable the outflow of the hair treatment agent from the inside thereof during heating, which further facilitates the hair-surface conditioning treatment by the hair treatment agent and promotes the penetration of the hair treatment agent into the hair to achieve the treatment effect. Furthermore, the treatment agent attached to the hair is not easily removed, and can sustain the effect. In addition, it becomes possible not only to easily handle the hair treatment agent but also to improve a workability.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram and a perspective view showing an embodiment of a hair treatment agent-holder of the present invention;

FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram and a perspective view showing another embodiment of the hair treatment agent-holder of the present invention;

FIG. 1C is a schematic diagram and a perspective view showing still another embodiment of the hair treatment agent-holder of the present invention;

FIG. 1D is a schematic diagram and a plan view showing a further embodiment of the hair treatment agent-holder of the present invention;

FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram and a plan view showing a state where the hair treatment agent-holder of the present invention is attached to an embodiment of hair styling means;

FIG. 2B is a view schematically showing a state of a section cut along the B-B′ line shown in FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3A is a schematic diagram and a side view showing a state where the hair treatment agent-holder of the present invention is attached to another embodiment of the hair styling means;

FIG. 3B is a view schematically showing a state of a section cut along the C-C′ line shown in FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4A is a schematic diagram and a perspective view showing a state before the hair treatment agent-holder of the present invention is attached to the embodiment of the hair styling means;

FIG. 4B is a schematic diagram and a perspective view showing that the hair treatment agent-holder shown in FIG. 4A and attached to the embodiment of the hair styling means holds hair;

FIG. 4C is a schematic diagram showing states of the hair treatment agent-holder, the hair styling means and the hair shown in FIG. 4A and seen from a direction D of FIG. 4B, and a sectional view which is cut orthogonal to an arm of the hair styling means;

FIG. 4D is a schematic diagram and a perspective view showing a state before the other embodiment of the hair treatment agent-holder of the present invention is attached to the embodiment of the hair styling means;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram and a perspective view showing the state before the other embodiment of the hair treatment agent-holder of the present invention is attached to the embodiment of the hair styling means;

FIG. 6A is a view schematically showing a state where the hair treatment agent-holder of the present invention is impregnated with the hair treatment agent;

FIG. 6B is a view schematically showing the state where the hair treatment agent-holder of the present invention is impregnated with the hair treatment agent;

FIG. 6C is a view schematically showing the state where the hair treatment agent-holder of the present invention is impregnated with the hair treatment agent; and

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram and a perspective view showing another embodiment of the hair styling means.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, modes for carrying out a hair treatment agent-holder, a hair styling device and a hair styling method of the present invention will specifically be described with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention broadly includes the hair styling device including specific matters of the invention, and is not limited to the following embodiments.

[1] Constitution of Hair Treatment Agent-Holder of the Invention:

As shown in FIGS. 1A to 1D, a hair styling device of the present invention is a holder which is impregnated with a hair treatment agent to hold the same therein, and the holder includes a base material 3 which can be impregnated with the hair treatment agent to hold the same therein, and is detachably attached to hair styling means for styling hair. Furthermore, it is constituted as a hair treatment agent-holder 1A formed to enable the outflow of the hair treatment agent.

[1-1] Hair Treatment Agent:

Examples of the hair treatment agent for use in the present embodiment include a treatment agent including a conditioning component, an oil component, an emulsifier, a solvent and another additive.

Examples of the conditioning component include a silicon derivative and a surfactant, and have an effect of improving feel of the hair, ease of combing and shining properties. Moreover, the silicon derivative has an effect of forming a thin film on the surface of the hair, to obtain a smooth finish. Furthermore, the surfactant has an effect of a moisture retaining agent which holds a moisture to prevent the generation of a static electricity.

Examples of the oil component include grease, wax, paraffin, wax, and higher alcohol, and have an effect of resupplying an oil content to the hair and scalp to soften the hair and scalp.

Examples of the emulsifier include a surfactant. Moreover, examples of the solvent include an alcohol such as ethanol, and glycol.

It is to be noted that if necessary, there may be added a viscous agent, an ultraviolet absorber, an anti-flash agent, an antiseptic agent, an antioxidant, a pH adjuster, a perfume, and a coloring agent. It is preferably possible to sufficiently take care of the hair in accordance with individual hair properties.

The hair treatment agent is preferably made of a substance having a low fluidity at ordinary temperature and having the raised fluidity when heated. In consequence, the deterioration or oxidation of the hair treatment agent can be minimized immediately before used. When the hair treatment agent is used, the hair treatment agent is heated for use, whereby the treatment effect of the agent can be maximized. Moreover, the hair treatment agent can evenly and easily be applied to the whole hair. Furthermore, the treatment agent which has just been heated and liquefied has a high fluidity, and can effectively be applied to the hair. On the other hand, when the treatment agent returns to ordinary temperature, the treatment agent is stabilized and is not easily removed, and the effect thereof can be sustained.

It is to be noted that a low-fluidity liquid has a fluidity of 50,000 to 500,000 cP at ordinary temperature (20° C.). When the liquid is heated to about 40° C., the fluidity preferably becomes about 10,000 cP.

The hair treatment agent is solid at ordinary temperature, and becomes liquefied when heated, in many cases. For example, a copolymer made of acryl polymer and dimethyl polysiloxane known as silicon wax forms a film which is excellent in water resistance, oil resistance, oxygen permeability and make-up lasting properties, and is, accordingly, used as a component of cosmetics. Selecting acryl polymer for use, a melting point can be changed from about 30° C. to about 50° C. When the hair treatment agent which is solid at ordinary temperature and is liquefied to flow when heated is used, the hair treatment agent itself is not easily oxidized or deteriorated. Therefore, the hair treatment agent can advantageously be stored for a long period of time without impairing properties of the hair treatment agent. This is because the components of the hair treatment agent include a volatile substance and a substance which is easily oxidized. Furthermore, even if the hair treatment agent is solid when used, the agent becomes liquefied when heated for use. Therefore, the agent can evenly be applied to the hair, and so-called unevenness does not easily occur. Therefore, an operation efficiency can be enhanced. Moreover, when the hair treatment agent is sufficiently applied, the hair advantageously is not easily damaged in a heat treatment step.

It is to be noted that in addition to the above silicon wax, silicon oil made of a polyoxyethylene-methyl polysiloxane copolymer and having a melting point of about 45° C., or silicon gel made of crosslinking methyl polysiloxane and decamethyl pentasiloxane and having a paste-like state at ordinary temperature is included in the treatment agent. When this treatment agent or the like is used, a similar effect is obtained.

[1-2] Hair Treatment Agent-Holder:

The hair treatment agent-holder of the present embodiment is preferably a holder which is impregnated with the hair treatment agent to hold the same therein, and the holder preferably includes a base material which is capable of being impregnated with the hair treatment agent to hold the same therein, and is detachably attached to hair styling means for styling the hair. Furthermore, the hair treatment agent-holder is preferably formed to enable the outflow of the hair treatment agent. Heretofore, a hair treatment operator has applied the hair treatment agent to the hair of a person subjected to a hair treatment directly manually or with a brush, a spatula or the like. Therefore, the hair treatment operator needs to discontinue an operation and wash hands, or needs to replace the brush, the spatula or the like with the hair styling means, which lowers the operation efficiency and is laborious. However, the hair treatment agent-holder of the present embodiment is impregnated with the hair treatment agent to hold the same therein, and in this state, the hair treatment agent operation can be continued. Therefore, a workability can be improved.

Moreover, the hair treatment agent-holder of the present embodiment is formed to enable the outflow of the hair treatment agent, whereby the hair can be styled while applying the hair treatment agent to the hair. When the holder is formed in this manner, heat generated by heating means is indirectly transferred to the hair via the holder, for example, while bringing the holder impregnated with or containing the hair treatment agent into contact with the hair. Therefore, the hair is not damaged as compared with a case where the hair is directly heated. Moreover, an applying operation, a drawing operation of properties of the hair treatment agent (an operation of exerting the treatment effect by heating, or the like) and a hair styling operation can simultaneously be performed, whereby the properties of the hair treatment agent (the treatment effect by the heating, or the like) are easily imparted to the hair. Furthermore, after applying the hair treatment agent to the hair via the above holder, the hair treatment agent applied to the hair by the heating means or the like can be subjected to a heat treatment. Therefore, variations of the treatment operation also broaden, and the operation can efficiently be performed in accordance with the properties of the hair.

The hair treatment agent-holder is preferably formed to enable the outflow of the hair treatment agent from the inside thereof during the heating. While performing the treatment operation without causing a damage to the hair as much as possible, the properties of the hair treatment agent (the treatment effect by the heating, or the like) can simultaneously be drawn. Moreover, as compared with a case where the hair treatment agent is directly applied to the hair at ordinary temperature, the hair treatment agent which has just been heated and liquefied has a high fluidity and can effectively be applied to the hair. Additionally, when the hair treatment agent applied to the hair is cooled to return to ordinary temperature, the agent is stabilized, and is not easily removed. Therefore, the effect of the agent can be sustained.

Moreover, the hair treatment agent-holder is preferably detachably attached to the hair styling means. The hair treatment agent-holder impregnated with the hair treatment agent to hold the agent can be supplied as a so-called cartridge type. Therefore, it is possible not only to easily handle but also to improve the workability. For realizing such advantages, at least the base material is preferably made of, for example, a porous resin which will be described later, a non-woven cloth, paper, a film, a cloth, a rubber or a mesh-like material. That is because the hair treatment agent heated to have a high fluidity can easily flow out of the hair treatment agent-holder when the base material of the hair treatment agent-holder is made of at least the above material.

Here, “impregnated with the hair treatment agent to hold the agent therein” means that the holder is impregnated with the liquefied or gel-like hair treatment agent to contain and hold the agent, when the hair treatment agent is made of a liquefied or gel-like material. Furthermore, when the holder is impregnated with the liquefied or gel-like hair treatment agent to contain and “hold” the agent, it is meant that a state of the holder containing a liquid or a gel is kept as long as any excessive pressure (a pressing force) or the like is not applied. That is, when the holder is impregnated with the liquid, the gel or the like to hold the same, attached to the hair styling means and used, the holder is preferably impregnated with the agent to hold the same to such an extent that the liquefied or gel-like hair treatment agent can flow out of the holder by contact or the like during hair combing (e.g. when the hair styling means is a hair brush) or by contact between the hair styling means and the hair (e.g. when the hair styling means is a hair styling device such as a hair iron). In other words, when the excessive pressure is applied, the liquefied or gel-like hair treatment agent flows out of the holder sometimes. In the present embodiment, however, the hair treatment agent-holder is preferably impregnated with the liquefied or gel-like hair treatment agent to hold the same to such an extent that the agent can flow out of the holder, when the holder is attached to the hair styling means and used (during the contact with the hair).

Moreover, when “the holder” “includes the base material which is capable of being impregnated with the hair treatment agent to hold the same therein”, it is meant that the holder may include the base material which can be impregnated with the hair treatment agent to hold the same therein and that the holder is not necessarily limited to a case where the whole holder can be impregnated with the hair treatment agent to hold the same. In other words, when the whole holder has a constitution of the base material which can be impregnated with the hair treatment agent to hold the same or when part of the holder includes the base material and part of the base material can be impregnated with the hair treatment agent to hold the same, the holder is included in the holder of the present embodiment.

Examples of the case where the whole holder is constituted of the base material which can be impregnated with the hair treatment agent to hold the same therein include a tubular holder 10 shown in FIG. 10, and a sheet-like holder 1D shown in FIG. 1D. Moreover, examples of the case where part of the holder is constituted of the base material which can be impregnated with the hair treatment agent to hold the same therein include the holder 1A having both ends provided with annular attaching portions, and including a belt-like base material as shown in FIG. 1A. The examples also include a holder 1B having both annular ends, and including a stick-like holding portion 2 b as a base material as shown in FIG. 1B. However, the holder is not limited to these illustrations. Furthermore, the holder may be made of a sucking disc (not shown), and may detachably be attached to hair styling means 4 shown in FIG. 4A.

Moreover, “detachably attached to the hair styling means for styling the hair” means that the hair treatment agent-holder is detachably attached to the hair styling means. As shown in, for example, FIG. 1A, the hair treatment agent-holder may be provided with the annular attaching portions, and may detachably be attached to (can be attached to or detached from) the hair styling means. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 1C, the whole hair treatment agent-holder including the base material is formed into a sack-like shape, whereby the hair treatment agent-holder may detachably be attached to the hair styling means. Moreover, when the hair treatment agent-holder is made of a sheet-like material as shown in FIG. 1D, brush portions (a region provided with a large number of rod-like members (pin-like members) for combing the hair) of the hair brush can be used by sticking the brush portions in the holder, or the like. When the hair treatment agent-holder is formed in this manner, the hair treatment agent-holder can simply be attached to the hair styling means. In addition, since the existing hair styling means can be used, a versatility can be improved. It is to be noted that in the case of the sheet-like hair treatment agent-holder, the hair treatment agent-holder is preferably made of a mesh-like material or the like, to facilitate attachment such as the sticking of the brush portions of the hair brush (e.g. pins, brush bristles or the like as shown by mark 6 a of FIG. 2A or mark 6 b of FIG. 3A). Furthermore, in the case of the above constitution, the attachment/detachment is more preferably facilitated, when the hair treatment agent-holder is provided with innumerable slits.

Furthermore, as a preferable state where “the holder is impregnated with the hair treatment agent to hold the same” indicates that the hair treatment agent is contained and held in the hair treatment agent-holder to such an extent that the agent can flow out of the hair treatment agent-holder during the heating. For example, the hair treatment agent having a liquefied, gel-like or solid-like state or another state has a low fluidity, and does not easily flow out of the hair treatment agent-holder or cannot flow out of the holder, before heated. However, when heated (after heated), the hair treatment agent can flow out of the hair treatment agent-holder, which facilitates the handling of the agent. Moreover, it is possible to prevent the decrease of an efficacy of the hair treatment agent due to oxidation, deterioration or the like. Furthermore, when the hair treatment agent is heated during use, the fluidity of the hair treatment agent rises, which also facilitates the styling of the hair, as long as the hair treatment agent can flow out of the hair treatment agent-holder. In addition, the properties (e.g. the treatment effect and the like) of the hair treatment agent are easily imparted to the hair.

That is, “the hair treatment agent-holder is formed to enable the outflow of the hair treatment agent from the inside thereof during the heating” means that the hair treatment agent of the hair treatment agent-holder impregnated with or holding the agent held is heated to melt or have the raised fluidity and can flow out of the holder. When the hair treatment agent is heated to melt or have the raised fluidity, the agent is easily applied to the hair. In consequence, the liquefied hair treatment agent (melted or having the raised fluidity) conditions the surface of the hair, penetrates into the hair, and can create the treatment effect. Moreover, after the hair treatment agent is liquefied, the heating is stopped to return to ordinary temperature, but the hair treatment agent attached to the hair is not easily removed. Even when shampooing is repeated several times, the agent does not flow down. Therefore, a hair styling effect can be sustained. On the other hand, in a case where a hair treatment agent such as a conventional treatment agent (hereinafter appropriately referred to as “the conventional hair treatment agent”) which does not melt or does not have the raised fluidity even when heated is used in the hair styling treatment, there is required an operation of applying the treatment agent to the hair at ordinary temperature and leaving the agent to stand for about three to five minutes, or the like. That is, when the conventional hair treatment agent is used, the agent needs to be left to stand for a desirable time so that a treatment component for taking care of the hair from the inside thereof satisfactorily penetrates into the hair. In some cases, it is necessary to raise a temperature of the hair by use of steamed towel or the like, and the hair styling operation has been laborious. However, in the present embodiment, the agent does not have to be left to stand for the desirable time, or any laborious operation is not required.

Above all, when the hair treatment agent which has the gel-like or solid state at ordinary temperature and is liquefied by the heating is used, the hair treatment agent-holder is preferably formed so that the hair treatment agent can flow out of the hair treatment agent-holder during the heating.

Moreover, the base material of the hair treatment agent-holder is made of a porous resin in one of preferable configurations. When the base material of the hair treatment agent-holder is made of the porous resin, the base material is easily impregnated with hair treatment agent. Furthermore, when the porous resin impregnated with the hair treatment agent is heated, the agent melts or has the raised fluidity, the agent easily exudes through innumerable pores of the porous base material made of the porous resin. In consequence, the hair treatment agent is preferably easily applied to the hair. This is preferable.

Here, examples of the porous resin of the base material include ethylene tetrafluoride, urethane, and silicone. Moreover, if necessary, the above porous resin is provided with an attaching portion (e.g. a belt-like attaching portion), and is preferably detachably attached to the hair styling means. Moreover, the whole hair treatment agent-holder including the base material of the porous resin is preferably formed into a sack-like shape. When the hair treatment agent-holder is formed in this manner, the holder can easily be attached to and detached from the hair styling means. This is preferable.

Moreover, the base material of the hair treatment agent-holder is made of at least a non-woven cloth, paper, a film, a cloth, or a rubber in one of the preferable configurations. When the base material of the hair treatment agent-holder is made of the above desirable material, the holder can easily be impregnated with the hair treatment agent or can easily hold the agent. Furthermore, the holder is easily attached to or detached from the hair styling means. Furthermore, the hair treatment agent is preferably easily applied to the hair via the base material made of the above material.

It is to be noted that when a portion of the hair treatment agent-holder which comes in contact with the hair is made of an elastic material such as a rubber, a contact pressure between the hair treatment agent-holder and the hair can be lowered. In consequence, the hair can maintain a soft circular section without being damaged. Furthermore, when a contact surface of the hair treatment agent-holder which comes in contact with the hair is formed into a moderate wave-like shape, the contact pressure between the hair and the holder is lowered, and the hair is preferably easily formed into a round shape. Moreover, when the hair treatment agent-holder is subjected to a moderate wave-like surface treatment, the hair can preferably maintain a soft round section without being damaged.

Moreover, the base material of the hair treatment agent-holder is formed into a mesh-like shape or provided with one or more holes in one of the preferable configurations. When the base material of the hair treatment agent-holder is formed into the mesh-like shape (a netted shape), the holder is easily impregnated with the hair treatment agent. Additionally, when the hair treatment agent of the base material formed into the mesh-like shape (the netted shape) and impregnated with the agent is heated, the agent melts or has the raised fluidity, and easily exudes through meshes (nets), whereby the agent is easily applied to the hair. Moreover, also when the base material of the hair treatment agent-holder is provided with one or more holes, the hair treatment agent of the impregnated base material is heated to melt or have the raised fluidity, and easily exudes through the one or more holes. Examples of such a holder include a hair treatment agent-holder formed into a mesh-like shape as shown in FIG. 1D, attached to the hair styling means as shown in FIG. 2A and used.

[2] Hair Styling Means:

The hair styling means of the present invention is means for styling the hair, and is formed so that the hair treatment agent-holder described above is detachably attached to the means. Here, the hair styling means includes means for combing the hair to style the hair, and means for heating or vibrating the hair to style the hair. Examples of the former means include a hair brush, and examples of the latter means include a hair styling device including heating means such as a hair iron which can heat the hair. However, the hair styling means is not limited to these examples.

It is to be noted that when hair styling means such as the former hair brush itself does not include the heating means for heating the hair, the hair treatment agent-holder is attached to the hair styling means and then used together with heating means such as a drier, which can produce the effect of the present invention.

[2-1] Hair Brush:

The hair styling means is a hair brush having a constitution of a brush in one of the preferable configurations. When the hair styling means has a constitution of, for example, the hair brush and the hair treatment agent-holder is made of the non-woven cloth, paper, film, cloth or mesh-like material as described above, the hair treatment agent is applied to the hair and subjected to a styling treatment as follows. That is, the hair treatment agent-holder impregnated with the hair treatment agent or the like is attached to the hair brush which is the hair styling means. Then, the hair treatment agent is applied while combing the hair with the hair brush, and hot air is blown to the hair by use of heating means such as the hair iron simultaneously with the applying of the hair treatment agent, to style the hair. Alternatively, the hair treatment agent-holder impregnated with the hair treatment agent or the like is attached to the hair brush which is the hair styling means, and the hair treatment agent is beforehand applied to the hair while combing the hair with the hair brush. Afterward, the hot air is sprayed by use of heating means such as the hair iron, whereby the hair may be styled. It is to be noted that when the hair treatment agent is beforehand applied to the hair as in the latter case and the hair treatment agent having the raised fluidity when heated is used, the hair treatment agent-holder is warmed in advance and applied to the hair. Afterward, the hair may be styled by the hot air of the heating means. When the hair styling means in the present embodiment has the constitution of the hair brush in this manner, the hair brush used to apply the hair treatment agent can be used to style the hair, as it is. Therefore, the operation does not have to be discontinued for the purpose of washing the hair treatment agent away from the hands or the like, which can improve the workability. Additionally, the hair treatment agent can evenly be applied to the hair, and can easily be applied to the hair while drawing the properties of the hair treatment agent.

Specifically, the hair styling means which is the hair brush covered with the hair treatment agent-holder as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B can be one example. FIGS. 2A and 2B show a sheet-like hair treatment agent-holder 1D and hair styling means including a hair brush 6A. The hair treatment agent-holder 1D constituted of a sheet-like material in this manner can easily be attached by sticking individual pins 6 a of the hair brush 6A in the holder. Moreover, the hair treatment agent-holder is easily detached from the hair brush after styling the hair.

Moreover, as another example shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, an example where hair styling means is a hair brush 6B and the hair brush made of a so-called flat-plate-like material is used together with the hair treatment agent-holder 1D can be illustrated. Also in the case of the flat-plate-like hair brush, the sheet-like hair treatment agent-holder 1D can easily be attached by sticking individual pins 6 b of the hair brush, and can easily be removed after styling the hair. It is to be noted that the means is not limited to the hair brush having a flat-plate-like shape in a length direction as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, and the present embodiment can broadly be applied to a known hair brush or the like without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[3] Hair Styling Device:

Moreover, the hair styling device preferably includes the hair styling means. The hair treatment agent-holder described above is detachably attached to the hair styling means. Furthermore, the hair styling device more preferably has a constitution of a device including the heating means. When the hair styling means includes the heating means for applying the heat to the hair, the hair styling treatment can be performed while drawing the properties of the hair treatment agent.

Here, examples of the heating means include heating means such as a heater built in a region to which the hair treatment agent-holder is attached, and the heating means can directly heat the hair treatment agent-holder. The examples also include an example where a heating portion 8 is formed in a region in which heating means such as the heater is built and to which the hair styling means is attached, and the heating portion 8 can transmit heat generated from the heating means (see FIG. 4A). A heating temperature can be controlled preferably in a range of 60 to 280° C. and more preferably in a range of 100 to 120° C.

[3-1] Specific Configuration of Hair Styling Device:

The hair styling means more preferably includes one arm and the other arm facing the one arm, to the one arm and/or the other arm, the hair treatment agent-holder impregnated with the hair treatment agent or holding the hair treatment agent is detachably attached, and the heating means is provided in a device main body and/or the one arm and/or the other arm of the hair styling device. When the hair styling device has such a constitution, it is possible to simultaneously perform an operation of applying the hair treatment agent to the hair, an operation of drawing the properties of the hair treatment agent at the maximum and an operation of styling the hair.

[3-1-1] Arm:

Specifically, when an interconnecting mechanism 5 is provided in the present embodiment as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, one arm 2A is preferably interconnected with the other arm 2B facing the one arm. This is because an operability and an operation efficiency can be improved. Furthermore, the one arm 2A and the other arm 2B are preferably revolvably constituted to such an extent that the arms can hold the hair. Here, when the hair treatment agent is applied and the hair is further styled, the arms may intensely come in contact with (or press) each other. In this case, the hair sandwiched between the arms breaks down and is damaged sometimes. Moreover, when an excessive degree of contact (or pressing) occurs, liquid dripping or dropdown of the hair treatment agent held in the hair treatment agent-holder by the impregnation is caused sometimes. Therefore, it is unfavorable that the arms intensely come in contact with each other. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the arms preferably come in contact with each other with a strength to such an extent that the hair can be held or the excessive liquid dripping or dropdown of the hair treatment agent is prevented.

Examples of a shape of each of the arms include a columnar shape, a rectangular shape, and a rod-like shape. However, the shape of the arm is not limited to these shapes, and the arm preferably has a shape which easily holds or releases the hair, a shape which easily revolves via the interconnecting mechanism, or a shape to which the hair treatment agent-holder is easily detachably attached. Furthermore, when heating means such as the heater is incorporated in the arm, the arm is more preferably formed into a hollow shape. Moreover, when the heating means is incorporated in a device main body of the hair styling device and the heat of the heating means is transferred to the arm via a heat transfer line or the like, the arm is more preferably formed into a hollow shape in which the heat transfer line or the like is easily disposed. However, the shape of the arm is not limited to such a hollow shape, and any shape that is easily provided with the heating means, the heat transfer line or the like, any shape that can easily transfer the heat generated to the hair by the heating means when the heating means, the heat transfer line or the like is disposed, any shape that is easily provided with another peripheral member and the like are included in the arms provided in the present embodiment.

Moreover, the arms are made of a known metal material such as a titanium alloy, duralumin, aluminum alloy or steel, but the material is not limited to these materials, and the arms may be made of a lightweight material having a heat resistance and durability.

[3-1-2] Interconnecting Mechanism:

For example, when the interconnecting mechanism 5 is provided as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the arms are preferably revolvably interconnected with each other via the interconnecting mechanism 5. That is, when the one arm 2A is interconnected with the other arm 2B via a rivet portion 5 a which is a base shaft, the arms become revolvable. In terms of a sheet surface direction of FIG. 4A, the arms can preferably revolve up and down. When the one arm 2A and the other arm 2B are freely revolved via the interconnecting mechanism 5, the hair can smoothly be held and released by the one arm 2A and the other arm 2B. However, the interconnecting mechanism is not limited to such a mechanism, and a known interconnecting mechanism (an interconnecting structure) of the revolvable arms is also included in the interconnecting mechanism provided in the present embodiment.

Moreover, the arms are preferably provided with an urging member such as a spring which facilitates the revolution (the opening/closing of the one arm and the other arm), or the like. When the revolution of the arms is facilitated, the hair can smoothly be held, and a hair treatment can smoothly be performed.

[3-2] Constitution of Hair Iron:

Moreover, the hair styling means is constituted as a hair iron in one of the preferable configurations. The versatility can preferably be improved.

Specific examples of the means include a hair iron including arms and a grasping member as shown in FIG. 7 in addition to the means shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. However, the means are not limited to such a hair iron.

It is to be noted that when a grasping member 9B is provided as shown in FIG. 7, the grasping member 9B is preferably made of a metal material such as the titanium alloy, duralumin, aluminum alloy or steel. Moreover, the grasping member is preferably formed by cutting a columnar member made of such a material. Moreover, when the grasping member is a device main body, heating means is incorporated (disposed) often. In this case, the member is preferably formed into a hollow shape. However, the material is not limited to the above metal material, the columnar shape, or the like. For example, the grasping member may be made of such a material, as long as the material has both the light weight and the heat resistance. Moreover, it can be considered that a shape which is easily handheld and excellent in operability or a shape which is easily provided with constituent members such as the above heating means is a preferable configuration for forming the grasping member of the hair iron.

Furthermore, the hair iron of the present invention and the hair treatment agent-holder described above will be described with reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B.

When the hair styling means is the hair iron shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B and the hair treatment agent-holder includes a belt-like attaching portion, the holder can easily detachably be attached to the arms of the hair iron, which facilitates the application of the hair treatment agent. Moreover, the heat generated by the heating means of the hair iron is easily transferred to the hair treatment agent. Furthermore, since proper heat is also easily transferred to the hair, and the hair is easily held, it is in one of the preferable configurations.

Here, when the above hair treatment agent-holder is attached to the hair iron and used, the hair treatment agent-holder is first allowed to hold the hair treatment agent as shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C. Afterward, the (belt-like) attaching portion of the hair treatment agent-holder is attached to the arms of the hair iron (an arm side provided with a heating portion). Moreover, when the base material of the hair treatment agent-holder is made of a porous resin or the like (e.g. ethylene tetrafluoride, urethane, or silicone), the base material is impregnated with the hair treatment agent, and then attached to the attaching portion as shown in FIG. 4D. This attachment may be performed while regulating a position of the attaching portion so that the holder comes in contact with the heating portion of one or both of the facing arms of the hair iron. Afterward, when the hair is held and heated by the hair iron, the treatment agent of the resin impregnated with the agent melts at a temperature which is higher than a melting point thereof, exudes, and is applied to the hair. When the attaching portion is formed in this manner, the holder is easily detachably attached to the arms, which preferably improves the versatility. Additionally, the (belt-like) attaching portion may have a recess shape. Furthermore, the attaching portion and the arms of the hair iron may be provided with an attaching mechanism having unevenness or the like to detachably attach the holder, and the holder is not limited to the above example.

Furthermore, when the hair treatment agent-holder is a so-called sack-like impregnated member as shown in FIG. 5, an effect similar to the above effect can preferably be obtained. For example, when the liquefied hair treatment agent is used, the holder is formed into an easily impregnated or holding shape. Therefore, the liquid dripping does not easily occur. Additionally, adequate heat is also easily transmitted to the hair in one of the preferable configurations.

Moreover, in the hair styling device, a heating temperature of the heating means can preferably be changed in accordance with the hair treatment agent for use. According to such a constitution, an applying temperature (the heating temperature) can preferably be regulated in accordance with the hair treatment agent for use, the properties of the hair treatment agent-holder and the state of the hair to be styled.

[4] Impregnating or Holding Method of Hair Treatment Agent in Hair Treatment Agent-Holder

An impregnating or holding method of the hair treatment agent in the hair treatment agent-holder of the present embodiment is performed by the following method.

As the simplest method, a method of immersing the hair treatment agent-holder into the liquefied hair treatment agent to impregnate the holder with the agent as shown in FIG. 6A is preferably performed. Moreover, when the hair treatment agent is solid at ordinary temperature, the agent is beforehand heated at the temperature which is higher than the melting point and liquefied. A warmed state may be maintained during the immersion, if necessary. Furthermore, when the hair treatment agent-holder is impregnated with the treatment agent having a low fluidity, the whole impregnating device may be vacuumed as shown in FIG. 6B or pressurized as shown in FIG. 6C, before and/or after the immersion. In consequence, voids of the hair treatment agent-holder can securely be impregnated with the hair treatment agent. It is to be noted that although not shown, the hair treatment agent-holder may be impregnated with the hair treatment agent dissolved in another low-viscosity solution, and then the only low-viscosity solution may be removed, to impregnate the hair treatment agent-holder with the hair treatment agent. An immersion time, a vacuum degree, a pressurizing amount or the like is set to be appropriate in accordance with the amount of the impregnating hair treatment agent. After the impregnating is completed, the temperature is returned to ordinary temperature, whereby the hair treatment agent of the impregnated hair treatment agent-holder returns to a solid or low-fluidity state, and is captured by the hair treatment agent-holder.

[5] Using Method of Hair Styling Device:

In the hair styling device of the present embodiment shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the hair treatment agent-holder shown in FIGS. 1A to 1D is attached to the arms and used. Further specifically, the holder is used as follows. The one arm 2A and the other arm 2B are opened, and the hair treatment agent-holder impregnated with and holding the hair treatment agent is attached to the arms so that the holder is positioned between the opened arms 2A and 2B. Furthermore, the hair is placed between the arms provided with the hair treatment agent-holder, and sandwiched to be held, thereby allowing the hair treatment agent-holder to abut on the hair. A power supply of a hair styling device 4 is turned on to heat the hair treatment agent-holder, thereby allowing the hair treatment agent to flow out of the hair treatment agent-holder, and the agent is applied to the hair. When a portion of the hair allowed to abut on the hair treatment agent-holder is changed, the one arm 2A and the other arm 2B are opened again, and the above steps are repeated while regulating the position of the hair which abuts on the one arm or the other arm. It is to be noted that when the hair is wound around the arm 2B and unevenness is generated in a winding thickness or the like, any sufficient effect is not obtained sometimes. Therefore, the hair is preferably wound around the arm so that the hair can evenly abut on the hair treatment agent-holder. Furthermore, in the hair styling device of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the second grasping member 9B and a first grasping member 9A are released to open the one arm 2A and the other arm 2B. The hair treatment agent-holder is attached to the arm 2B. Furthermore, the hair is wound around the arm 2B to abut on the hair treatment agent-holder. The grasping member 9B is manually brought close to the grasping member 9A which is a device main body, to revolve (open/close) the arms 2A and 2B, thereby allowing the arms to hold the hair. When the power supply of the hair styling device 1 is turned on to operate heating means such as a heater 10, the heat is transferred to the heating portion 8. The heat transferred to the heating portion 8 warms the holder attached to the heating portion 8, to melt the hair treatment agent of the holder impregnated with and holding the agent or raise the fluidity of the hair treatment agent. In consequence, the hair treatment agent flows out of the hair treatment agent-holder, and is applied to the hair while drawing the properties of the hair treatment agent. It is to be noted that when the portion of the hair allowed to abut on the hair treatment agent-holder is changed, the grasping member 9B and the grasping member 9A which is the device main body are manually arranged away (released) again, and the position of the hair abutting on the one arm or the other arm is regulated, while repeating the above steps.

[5-1] Hair Styling Method:

As a hair styling method in the present invention, the hair treatment agent-holder described above is attached to the hair styling means, and then heated by the heating means so that the holder comes in contact with the hair, whereby the hair treatment agent is preferably supplied to the hair to style the hair. When the hair styling means does not include any heating means as in, for example, the hair brush, the hair treatment agent-holder is attached to the hair brush, heated by heating means such as a hair drier, and then brought into contact with the hair. In consequence, the hair treatment agent of the hair treatment agent-holder impregnated with and holding the agent flows out of the holder, and is applied to the hair. Moreover, when the hair styling means includes the heating means as in, for example, the hair iron, the hair treatment agent-holder is attached to the hair styling means, the heating means incorporated in the hair iron is operated to heat the hair treatment agent-holder via the arms of the hair iron, and the holder is brought into contact with the hair. In consequence, the hair treatment agent is applied to the hair.

More preferably, the hair treatment agent is supplied to the hair to style the hair by use of the hair styling device described above. The properties of the hair treatment agent are easily drawn at the maximum, and the workability or the like can further be improved, so that the effect of the present invention can further be produced.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As described above, according to the present invention, there is provided a hair treatment agent-holder which is a holder impregnated with a hair treatment agent to hold the same therein, the holder comprising a base material capable of being impregnated with the hair treatment agent to hold the same therein, detachably attached to hair styling means for styling hair, and formed to enable the outflow of the hair treatment agent, which facilitates hair-surface conditioning by the hair treatment agent and promotes the penetration of the agent into the hair to achieve a treatment effect. Furthermore, the treatment agent attached to the hair is not easily removed, and the effect thereof can be sustained. Above all, it becomes possible not only to easily handle the hair treatment agent but also to improve a workability.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

1A, 1B, 1C and 1D: hair treatment agent-holder (holder), 2 a: holding portion, 2 b: attaching portion, 3: base material, 4; hair styling means, 5: interconnecting mechanism, 5 a: rivet portion, 6A and 6B: hair brush, 6 a and 6 b: brush portion (pin), 8: heating portion, 9A: device main body (first grasping member), 9B: second grasping member, 10: heater, 12: hair treatment agent, and 99: hair. 

1. A hair treatment agent-holder which is a holder impregnated with a hair treatment agent to hold the hair treatment agent therein, the holder comprising a base material capable of being impregnated with the hair treatment agent to hold the hair treatment agent therein, detachably attached to hair styling means for styling hair, and formed to enable the outflow of the hair treatment agent.
 2. The hair treatment agent-holder according to claim 1, which is formed to enable the outflow of the hair treatment agent from the inside thereof during heating.
 3. The hair treatment agent-holder according to claim 1, wherein the hair treatment agent is made of a substance having a low fluidity at ordinary temperature and having the raised fluidity when heated.
 4. The hair treatment agent-holder according to claim 1, wherein the base material of the hair treatment agent-holder is made of a porous resin.
 5. The hair treatment agent-holder according to claim 1, wherein the base material of the hair treatment agent-holder is made of a non-woven cloth, paper, a film, a cloth or a rubber.
 6. The hair treatment agent-holder according to claim 1, wherein the base material of the hair treatment agent-holder is formed into a mesh-like shape or provided with one or more holes.
 7. Hair styling means to which the hair treatment agent-holder according to claim 1 is attached, to style the hair.
 8. A hair styling device comprising the hair styling means according to claim
 7. 9. The hair styling device according to claim 8, wherein the hair styling means includes one arm and the other arm facing each other, to the one arm and/or the other arm, the hair treatment agent-holder impregnated with the hair treatment agent or holding the hair treatment agent is detachably attached, and heating means is provided in a device main body and/or the one arm and/or the other arm.
 10. The hair styling device according to claim 8, wherein the hair styling means is a hair iron.
 11. The hair styling device according to claim 8, wherein a heating temperature of the heating means is changeable in accordance with the hair treatment agent for use.
 12. A hair styling method comprising: attaching the hair treatment agent-holder according to claim 1 to the hair styling means; then, heating the hair treatment agent-holder by heating means and bringing the hair treatment agent-holder into contact with hair; thereby applying a hair treatment agent to the hair to style the hair.
 13. A hair styling method comprising: attaching the hair treatment agent-holder according to claim 1 to the hair styling means; then, bringing the hair treatment agent-holder into contact with hair to apply the hair treatment agent to the hair; and heating the hair by heating means to style the hair.
 14. A hair styling method comprising: supplying a hair treatment agent to hair by use of the hair styling device according to claim
 8. 